Netflix to unveil 'Arrested Development' on May 26

April 04, 2013|By AJ Marechal | Variety

"Arrested Development" finally has a return date.

Netflix will launch the fourth season of the comedy on Sunday, May 26, making all 15 episodes available at 12:01 a.m. PT in territories where Netflix is available -- the States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Latin America, Brazil and the Nordics.

Subscription streaming service initially planned 14 episodes of the Jason Bateman and Will Arnett starrer, but has since boosted the episode count to 15.

"'Arrested Development' is now widely viewed as one of the top TV comedies of all time and Mitch Hurwitz is bringing it to Netflix in a brand new way, crafted for the on-demand generation that has come to discover the show in the years since it last appeared on TV," said Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos.

Hurwitz, who created the series and serves as an exec producer, added: "In truth we are doing something very ambitious that can only be done with Netflix as partners on their platform. Finally my simple wish for the show is coming true: that it can be broadcast every second around the clock to every television, computer or mobile device in existence."

"Arrested Development" initially aired three seasons on Fox before the net cancelled the show in 2006 due to low ratings. In 2011, Hurwitz announced he would revive the series for a fourth season.

Fans will have to savor the fifteen episodes upon their release. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said in February he does not anticipate there being any further seasons of "Arrested Development" on the site beyond season four, describing the laffer as a "fantastic one-off."

Program is expected to be an Emmy contender this year.

"Arrested Development" is produced by Imagine TV and 20th Century Fox TV for Netflix. Show is exec produced by Hurwitz, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Jim Vallely and Troy Miller.